When Jenny and Steve decided to plan their wedding, they knew they wanted an exclusive venue that could accommodate their vision of a relaxed, personal celebration. Blackstock Country Estate offered them exactly that, the Tudor Barn and The Granary exclusively for their special day on Sunday 29 June 2025. The couple had an outdoor ceremony, BBQ wedding breakfast, and pizza buffet, celebrating their country wedding over the entire weekend with accommodation for their closest friends and family.
Steve had been working on something special, a car he’d built himself specifically for the wedding. Arriving early at 9am with an early check-in to Tudor Cottage, he arranged for his creation to be displayed outside between the two barns. The car would be parked and locked before guests arrived, staying put until the following morning as a talking point for their country wedding celebration.
Meanwhile, Jenny arrived at 8am to use the bridal suite, with makeup artist Grace Benson transforming her for the ceremony ahead. The bride brought her own breakfast, and at 10am, she and bridesmaid Sara practiced their entrance, with Steve firmly instructed to stay inside to preserve the surprise.
All images are by John Scofield
The couple opted for an outdoor ceremony at 2pm. Venue decorator Joanna set up the outdoor area with 4 chairs either side of the aisle across 5 rows, adorned with white chiffon sashes and gypsophila bunches on the aisle chairs, plus a cream aisle runner. The ceremony featured music from a Spotify playlist operated by Sara, with guests encouraged to blow bubbles instead of throwing confetti. After saying their vows, Jenny and Steve requested something specific, a glass of Sparkling Elderflower each, not Prosecco or Pimms, marking their first drinks as a married couple.
Following the ceremony at 2:30pm, guests enjoyed a drinks reception in the Tudor Barn while the bar opened and background music played. At 2:45pm, canapes were served, mini Chinese vegetable spring rolls with ginger and chilli dip, and mini fish and chips in newspaper cones with salt and vinegar. Some were saved for the bride and groom to enjoy before or after photos, with the Blackstock buggy available for photographs weather permitting.
The wedding breakfast took place in The Granary at 4:40pm. Event coordinator Jo announced the newlyweds into the room, with six-foot tables set up to accommodate BBQ sharing bowls for a relaxed, communal dining style. Guests enjoyed burgers with garlic butter, chargrilled tandoori chicken thighs with spicy mango chutney, and prawn skewers with mild chilli mayonnaise. Four BBQ salads accompanied the mains. The couple catered for all dietary requirements including vegetarian, dairy-free, pork allergy, and gluten-free options.
For dessert, adults were treated to passionfruit posset, zesty chilled lemon cream served with fresh berries and shortbread biscuit. Speeches took place before the meal at 4:10pm with a microphone provided, and tea and coffee were served in the Tudor Courtyard at the meal’s end. Jenny and Steve requested lemonade for themselves instead of wine during the meal, while guests enjoyed house white (Bello Tramonto Pinot Grigio) and house red (Luna Azul Merlot).
At 7pm, evening guests arrived at the Tudor Barn, where DJ Ashley Hardy from Sussex DJ was set up ready to get the party started. The grounds were locked at 7pm or dusk (whichever came sooner), with Tudor gates, Granary, and the wooden gate from accommodation to farm all secured. Evening guests each received a token for their first drink, with Jenny’s father running a tab to cover these. The venue collected his card during the drinks reception for settling later in the evening.
At 7:45pm, Jenny and Steve cut their wedding cake, 1 vanilla cake and 2 Caterpillar cakes from Sainsbury’s! How great. This was followed by their first dance, with a few bubbles blown over them for photographs. The evening buffet was served at 8:15pm, a pizza buffet with Pepperoni and Margarita. The bar closed at 11pm, with carriages at 11:30pm.
Guests stayed across the Farm House, the Three Bed Cottage, The Goat Shed, and Tudor Cottage. Jenny’s parents, Sue and Dave, stayed in The Goat Shed with early access for Sue to get ready. Jenny and Steve took Tudor Cottage for their wedding night. Breakfast was served at 10:15am on Monday morning.
Joanna, the venue decorator, transformed both barns with cream cushion covers, fairy lights, ivy, and wisteria draping in the Tudor Barn. The Granary featured voile ceiling drapery with lights, a foliage and wisteria hoop, a foliage stand with cream roses and festoon lights behind the top table, and tree centrepieces with greenery. Photographer and videographer John Scofield captured the day.
Jenny and Steve’s country wedding at Blackstock Estate was personal from start to finish. From Steve’s hand-built car and the couple’s specific drink preferences to the relaxed BBQ feast and pizza evening buffet, every detail reflected who they are. With guests celebrating late into the night and accommodation for their closest friends and family, it was a true country wedding, relaxed, fun, and entirely their own.
Ready to plan your own country wedding at Blackstock Estate? Whether you’re dreaming of an outdoor ceremony, a BBQ feast under the beams, or a weekend celebration with everyone you love staying on site, we’re here to make it happen. Get in touch with our team today or book a private viewing and let’s start planning a wedding that’s completely, authentically you.